576  S76 


'  Afield,  iv.ass.   Board  of 
education . 

;les  and  regulations  of  the 
public  schools. 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


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RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 


OF    THE 


PUBLIC   SCHOOLS 


1867. 


SPRINGFIELD,  MASS. : 

SAMUEL  BOWLES  AND  COMPANY,  PRINTERS. 

1867. 


To  the  Teachers  of  the  Public  Schools  in  Springfield. 


By  direction  of  the  School  Committee  of  Springfield,  the  CODE  OF 
KULKS  AND  REGULATIONS,  adopted  by  them  September  17.  1867,  is 
now  published  ;  and  a  copy  of  the  same,  attested  by  the  undersigned, 
placed  in  every  school-room  in  the  city,  "for  the  guidance  and  direction 
of  both  teacher  and  pupils  in  the  discharge  of  their  respective  duties.  ' 

J.   HOOKKi:.  Chairman.   , 
K.   A.   HU HEARD,  Superintendent. 
SPRINGFIELD,  October,  1867. 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS 


CITY  OF  SPRINGFIELD. 


1867. 


(SPRINGFIELD,  MASS.: 

SAMUEL  BOWLES  AND  COMPANY,  PRINTERS. 

1867. 


L  /6/ 

5  76 


Table  of  Contents. 


CHAPTER  I. 

,  PAGE. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COMMITTEE. — Annual  and  other  Meetings — Ap- 
pointment of  Superintendent — Other  General  Duties,  .  .  .5 

CHAPTER  II. 
OF  THE  SCHOOLS. — Their  Localities — Grades  and  General  Arrangements,     Q 

CHAPTER  III. 
GENERAL  REGULATIONS, .8 

CHAPTER  IV. 

OF  THE  SUPERINTENDENT. — His  Powers  and  Duties,         .        .        .        .12 

CHAPTER   V. 
OF  TEACHERS. — Their  Appointment — Tenure  of  Office — Duties,  etc.,       .  15 

CHAPTER  VI. 
OF  DISCIPLINE  IN  THE  SCHOOLS, 18 

CHAPTER   VII. 
OF  INSTRUCTION  IN  THE  SCHOOLS, 21 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE  HIGH  SCHOOL. — Teachers— Preparatory  Department — Admission 
of  Pupils — Qualifications  Required — Conditions  of  Membership — Lec- 
tures, etc. — Course  of  Studies — Diplomas,  .  .  .  •  .  .  .23 

APPENDIX. 

COURSE  or  STUDY  FOR  THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS, 27 


492867 

EDUCATION 


School  Committee,  1867. 


AT   LARGE,  JOSIAH  HOOKER. 

WARD        I.  JOHN  M.  STEBBINS. 

WARD       II.  WILLIAM  RICE. 

WARD     III.  S.  G.  BUCKINGHAM. 

WARD      IV.  JOHN  L.  KING. 

WARD        V.  HORACE  KIBBE. 

WARD      VI.  JOHN  B.  STEBBINS. 

WARD    VII.  MARCELLUS  PINNEY. 

WARD  VIII.  HIRAM  WARNER. 

CHAIRMAN, 

JOSIAH  HOOKER. 

SUPERINTENDENT  OF  SCHOOLS  AND  SECRETARY  OF  THE  BOARD, 

E.  A.  HUBBARD. 


Rules  and  Regulations. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COMMITTEE— ANNUAL  AND  OTHER 
MEETINGS  — APPOINTMENT  OF  SUPERINTENDENT,  AND 
OTHER  GENERAL  DUTIES. 

1.  On  the  first  Monday  of  January  of  each    year,  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.,  the  Committee  shall  meet  for  the  purpose  of  organi- 
zation and  other  appropriate  business — the  place  of  such  meeting 
and  of  all  other  meetings  of  the  Board  to  be  at  the  office  of  the 
Superintendent. 

2.  At  said  annual  meeting  the  Board  shall  choose  by  ballot  a 
Chairman,  and  also,  at  this  or  some  other  meeting  in  the  month  of 
January,  appoint,  in  the  same  mode,  the  Superintendent  of  Schools 
for  the  year.     The  Superintendent  so  chosen  shall  also  be  ex  officio 
Secretary  of  the  Board. 

3.  The  Board  shall  hold  monthly  meetings  on  the  first  Monday 
of  each  month,  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  except  as  the  time  may  be 
varied  by  vote  of  the  Committee.     Special  meetings  shall  also  be 
held  whenever  the  Chairman    and    Superintendent    shall    think  it 
advisable,   or  whenever  application  shall  be    made,  in   writing,  by 
any  two  members  of  the   Board,  to  the  Superintendent,  for  such 
special  meeting.     The  Secretary  shall  notify  such  meetings,  either 
by  an  oral  notice  to  the  members  personally,  or  a  printed  or  written 
notice  sent  to  them  respectively,  through  the  post-office  or  otherwise, 
two  days  at  least  before  the  meeting.    A  majority  of  all  the  members 
shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

4.  The   Committee   shall   appoint   from    their   number    Special 
Committees  on  Text-Books,  School-Houses,  Teachers,  Finance  and 
Expenditures,  and  other  departments,  so  far  as  they  may  deem  it 


6  RULES    AND    REGULATIONS    OF 

expedient — such  Committees  to  advise  with  and  aid  the  Superin- 
tendent in  these  departments. 

5.  In  executing  the  trust  committed  to  them  by  the  law  of 
the  State  and  the  choice  of  their  fellow-citizens,  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  Committee  to  frame  such  rules  and  regulations,  and  give  such 
directions  concerning  the  schools  as  in  their  judgment  will  be  con- 
ducive to  their  judicious  management  and  success. 


CHAPTER  II. 

OF  THE  SCHOOLS— THEIK  LOCALITIES,  GRADES,  AND 
GENERAL  ARRANGEMENTS. 

The  different  classes  or  grades  of  schools  are  as  follows : — 

1.  THE  HIGH   SCHOOL  (including  a   new  Latin  Preparatory 
Department)  stands  at  the  head  of  the  series  of  public  schools. 

2.  FOUR  GRAMMAR  SCHOOLS,  kept  in  different  sections  of  the 
city,  viz. — North  Main  Street,  Elm  Street,  Armory  Hill,   Central 
Street,  each  with  a  gentleman  teacher  as  principal.     The  several 
sections  or  classes  in  the  new  Grammar  School  buildings  are  respect- 
ively accounted  as  forming  but  one  school,  though  of  different  grades, 
all  being  under  the  charge  and  direction  of  one  principal. 

3.  PRIMARY  SCHOOLS,  comprising  all   the  schools   outside  of 
the  Grammar  School  buildings,  except  the  Mixed  Schools,  the  Ungra- 
ded School  on  State  Street,  and  the  Truant  School. 

4.  THE  MIXED  SCHOOLS,  comprising  the  schools  in  the  outside 
sections  or  districts  of  the  city,  having  no  immediate  connection  with 
the  other  schools  by  gradation  or  transfers. 

5.  THE  UNGRADED  SCHOOL  ON  STATE  STREET,  specially  de- 
signed for  the  reception  of  such  scholars  as  from  any  cause  are 
irregular  in  their  attendance. 

6.  THE   TRUANT    SCHOOL,  kept  at   the    City  Almshouse,  for 
the  reception  of  children  sent  there  as  a   school  of  reform,  by  the 
Police  Court,  for  truancy,  idleness,  vagrancy  and  other  like  mis- 
demeanors. 

7.  THE  ADULT  EVENING  SCHOOL,  kept  only  during  the  Winter 
season,  and  exclusively  for  adults  who  have  not  had  the  advantages 
of  early  education. 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  7 

GROUPS  OF  SCHOOLS. — The  schools  in  the  grades  below  the 
High  School  (except  the  Mixed  Schools  and  a  few  others)  are 
also  divided  into  four  general  groups — with  reference  to  the  transfer 
of  pupils  and  classes  from  one  grade  to  another.  At  the  head  of 
each  of  the  groups,  is  the  Grammar  School  Department  proper,  with 
which  they  are  respectively  connected — and  which  is  mainly  sup- 
plied with  pupils  from  the  subordinate  schools  of  the  group,  as  they 
become  qualified  therefor. 

These  groups  are  as  follows : — 

1.  THE  NORTH  MAIN  STREET,  comprising  all  the  schools  in 
Ward  One. 

2.  THE  ELM  STREET,  comprising  the  Elm  Street,  State,  Bridge, 
West  Union,  School  and  York  Street  Schools. 

3.  THE  ARMORY  HILL,  comprising   all   the   schools  in    Ward 
Five. 

4.  THE  CENTRAL  STREET,  comprising  the  Central  Street,  Pine 
Street  and  Asbury  Chapel  Schools. 

IMMEDIATE  SUPERA^ISION. — For  more  effectually  securing  this 
object,  an  arrangement  is  adopted,  as  far  as  practicable  and  conven- 
ient, by  which  schools  that  are  in  the  same  building,  or  are  other- 
wise closely  connected,  are  placed  under  the  superintending  charge 
of  the  Principal  of  the  most  advanced  of  the  respective  schools  so 
connected,  subject,  however,  to  the  control  and  direction  of  the  Su- 
perintendent and  Committee. 

The  schools  so  arranged,  are  as  follows : 

1.  The  North  Main  and  Auburn  Street,  two  schools. 

2.  The  Charles  Street,  five  schools. 

3.  The  Emery  Street,  three  schools. 

4.  The  Elm  Street,  one  school. 

5.  The  State  Street  (under  the  charge  of  the  Principal  of  the 
Ungraded  schools),  four  schools. 

6.  The  Bridge  Street,  three  schools. 

7.  The  Armory  Hill,  as  before  designated,  eleven  schools. 

8.  The   Central   Street,   Pine    Street,  and   Asbury    Chapel,  six 
schools. 

9.  The  Indian  Orchard,  three  schools. 


RULES    AND   REGULATIONS   OF 


CHAPTER  III. 

GENERAL  REGULATIONS. 

1.  THE  SCHOOL  YEAR  CONSISTS  OF  FORTY  WEEKS,  beginning  about 
the  first  of  September,  and  ending  on  Friday  next  preceding  the 
fourth  day  of  July. 

It  is  divided  into  three  Terms,  viz : 

The  Fall  Term,  of  about  twelve  weeks,  beginning  with  the  School 
year  as  above,  and  ending  with  Friday  of  the  week  next  preceding 
the  week  of  the  annual  State  Thanksgiving. 

The  Winter  Term,  consisting  usually  of  about  fourteen  weeks, 
beginning  on  Tuesday  of  the  week  after  the  annual  Thanksgiving. 

The  Summer  Term,  consisting  of  about  fourteen  weeks,  begin- 
ning after  a  (two  weeks)  vacation  following  the  Winter  Term, 
and  ending  with  the  School  year  as  above.  The  precise  time  of 
beginning  and  ending  each  term  and  vacation,  will  be  regulated 
from  year  to  year  by  vote  of  the  Committee,  and  may  be  varied  by 
them  during  the  year,  as  they  may  judge  best. 

2.  SCHOOL  DAYS  AND  SCHOOL  SESSIONS. — The  schools  shall 
be  kept  Jive  days  each  week,  beginning  Monday  morning  and  ending 
Friday  night,  holding  two  sessions  each  day,  subject  however  to  any 
variance  from  the  above,  authorized  by  the  Committee. 

The  schools  in  the  morning  shall  begin  at  nine  o'clock,  and  close 
at  twelve  o'clock  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  begin  at  two  o'clock,  and 
close  at  five  o'clock  through  the  year,  except  that  from  November 
1st,  until  February  1st,  they  shall  close  at  half-past  four  o'clock ; 
and  provided  also  that  the  Committee  may  vary  the  time  of  begin- 
ning or  closing  the  sessions  in  respect  to  the  schools  generally  or  to 
particular  schools,  as  they  may  judge  expedient  under  the  circum- 
stances. They  may  also  permit  or  require  a  school  to  be  kept  only 
one  session  a  day,  whenever  in  their  view  there  are  satisfactory 
reasons  for  such  an  arrangement. 

No  single  sessions  are  allowed  in  any  school  unless  authorized  as 
above,  except  in  case  of  absolute  necessity  occasioned  by  a  sudden 
and  violent  storm. 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  9 

3.  OPENING    ROOMS. — The  school-rooms  shall   be  opened  for 
the  reception  of  the  pupils  fifteen  minutes  before  the  beginning  of 
the  session ;  and  each  teacher  is  required  to  be  at  the  school-room 
at  this  time,  to  receive  and  take  charge  of  the  pupils. 

Exact  punctuality  both  in  opening  and  closing  the  schools  at  the 
appointed  time,  is  enjoined  upon  the  teachers. 

4.  OPENING   EXERCISES.  —  The   morning   exercises   shall   be 
opened  by  the  reading  of  some  portion  of  the  Bible  ;  and  it  is  recom- 
mended that  it  be  followed  by  a  brief  prayer  uttered  by  the  teacher, 
or  by  the  Lord's  prayer  repeated  by  the  pupils  in  unison. 

5.  RECESSES. — There  shall   be  one  recess,  not  exceeding   in 
length  twenty  minutes  in  each  session,  to  be  at  the  same  time  for  both 
sexes,  where  they  have  separate  yards ;  but  when  the  grounds  are 
in  common,  the  arrangement  for  the   recess  shall  be  such,  that  the 
boys  and  girls  shall  be  out  at  different  times.- 

6.  FIYE  DAYS'  ABSENCE. — Pupils  of  any  school  who  are  ab- 
sent for  five  or  more  consecutive  days  of  a  term,  are  no  longer  to 
be  accounted  members  of  the  school  in  making  up  averages. 

7.  THE  ESTABLISHED  HOLIDAYS  are  as  follows :     Christmas, 
Fourth  of  July,  Washington's  Birthday  (February  22),  and  Thanks- 
giving, and  Fast  Days  appointed  by  the  National  or  State  Govern- 
ment.    The  schools  may  also  be  suspended  on  other  occasions  by  the 
Committee,  whenever  they  shall  judge  it  expedient. 

8.  BOOKS  FOR  TEACHERS. — Whenever   new   text  books   are 
hereafter  introduced  into  the  schools,  the  Superintendent  shall  pro- 
vide for  supplying  the  teachers'  desks  of  those  schools  in  which  they 
are  used,  with  copies  of  the  same,  at  the'  expense  of  the  city,  for  the 
use  of  the  teachers. 

9.  PUPILS  WITHOUT  BOOKS. — If  any  children  attending  school 
have  not  the  books  used  in  the  school,  the  teacher  shall  first  apply 
to  the  parents,  guardians,  or  masters  of  such  children  to  supply  the 
deficiency;  if  this  does  not  avail,  then  the  case  shall  be  reported 
by  the  teacher  to  the  Superintendent,  with  the  names  of  the  pupils, 
who  shall  thereupon  furnish  the  books  at  the  expense  of  the  city, 
and  return  the  same  to  the  city  assessors  as  required  by  law. 

10.  DAMAGES. — Pai'ents,  masters,  and  guardians  are  to  be  held 
responsible,  by  the   Superintendent,  for  any  damage  done  by  pu- 
pils sent  by  them  to  school,  to  the  school-house,  furniture,  or  any 
part  of  the  premises  or  property  thereon ;  and  when  such  damage  is 
done,  it  shall  be  forthwith  reported  by  the  teacher  to  the  Superin- 

2 


10  RULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

tendent,  with  the  names  of  the  offenders,  and  of  the  parents,  guar- 
dians or  masters. 

11.  CALLS. — Pupils  shall  not  be  permitted  during  school  hours 
to  answer  the  calls  of  any  persons  at  the  door,  except  of  parents  or 
guardians,  or  in  other  cases  deemed  by  the  teacher  of  urgent  im- 
portance. 

12.  LEAVING  SCHOOL. — No  pupil  shall  be  allowed  to  leave  the 
school  during  a  session,  until  the  close  of  it,  unless  in  case  of  sick- 
ness or  other  cause  satisfactory  to  the  teacher,  excepting  also  cases 
in  which  pupils  are  excused  by  the  Superintendent,  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  music  lessons,  but  such  excuse  shall  not  be  granted  when 
the  absence  would  interfere  with  the  recitations  or  general  exer- 
cises of  the  pupils  in  the  school. 

Nor  shall  any  pupil  leave  the  school  before  the  end  of  the  term, 
without  sufficient  excuse  rendered  to  the  teacher ;  and  in  case  any 
one  does  so  leave,  he  shall  not  be  allowed  to  take  his  place  in  the 
school  the  next  term,  until  an  explanation  of  his  absence  is  given, 
with  satisfactory  assurances  for  the  future. 

13.  EXHIBITIONS. — There  shall  be  no  exhibitions  of  any  kind 
by  any  of  the  schools  without  first  obtaining  permission  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  the  same. 

14.  BOOK   AGENTS,   &c. — No  book    or    other  agents  of  any 
description  shall  have  admission  into  the  schools  for  any  purpose 
connected  with  their  agency,  unless  by  permission  of  the  Superin- 
tendent ;  nor  shall  any  notice  be  given  in  the  schools  of  exhibitions, 
lectures,  or  other  public  exercises,  without  such  permission. 

15.  USE  OF  ROOMS. — School-rooms  shall  not  be  opened  for  any 
purpose  except  for  the  use  of  the  schools  regularly  occupying  them, 
unless  by  permission  first  obtained  of  the  Committee  through  the 
Superintendent ;    and   whenever   such   permission   is   granted,    the 
Superintendent  shall  give  notice  thereof  to  the  teacher  of  the  school 
kept  therein. 

16.  OTHER  TOWNS. — The  School  Committee  may  make  such 
arrangements  with  other  towns  as  they  shall  think  reasonable  con- 
cerning the  tuition  of  children  living  near  the  boundary  lines  be- 
tween them,  agreeably  to  the  provision  of  law  in  such  cases. 

17.  CHILDREN  BELONGING  TO  OTHER  TOWNS  may  be  allowed 
by  the  School  Committee,  when  they  shall  judge  it  expedient,  to  at- 
tend  the  schools  of  this    city  on    such  terms   as   they    shall  think 
equitable,  provided  it  can  be  done  with  a  due  regard  to  the  rights 


THE   PUBLIC   SCHOOLS.  11 

and  privileges  of  the  children  of  our  own  citizens ;  but  none  shall  be 
allowed  to  attend  without  first  obtaining  permission. 

18.  PURE  AIR. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  teachers,  so  far  as  it 
is  within  their  power,  to  adopt  efficient  measures  for  securing  pure 
air  and  a  proper  temperature  in  their  rooms,  by  regulating  the 
ventilators,  opening  windows  at  recess  and  other  times  when  it  can 
be  safely  done,  and  by  other  like  means. 

19.  NEATNESS  OF  ROOMS,  &c. — It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of 
teachers  to  take  constant  care  that  their  rooms  and  furniture  are 
kept  in  a  clean,  neat  and  tidy  manner,  and  also,  that  the  premises 
generally,  both  within  and  without,  are  kept  in  a  proper  condition  ; 
also,  require  personal  neatness  on  the  part  of  the  children ;  and,  if 
any  repairs  or  other  work  are  necessary  to  be  done  for  the  above 
purpose — or,  if  there  is  any  neglect  of  duty  on  the  part  of  the  janitor 
or  of  others  in  the  care  of  the  premises,  the  same  shall  be  reported 
by  the  teacher  to  the  Superintendent. 

20.  VACCINATION. — If  there   are  in   a   school,  at   any  time, 
children  who  have  not  been  vaccinated,  or  any  that  are  infected 
with  loathsome  or  contagious  disease,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
teacher  forthwith   to  exclude  such  children  from  the  school,  until 
they  bring  satisfactory  evidence  that  the  cause  of  their  exclusion  is 
removed,  or  direction  from  the  Superintendent  to  restore  them. 

21.  PUPILS  OUT  OF  PLACE. — Children  shall  attend  the  schools 
to  which  they  properly  belong,  according  to  the  respective  limits  of 
the  schools  as  established  by  the  Committee,  and  shall  attend  no  other 
without  the  direction  of  the  Superintendent ;   and  whenever  any 
children  go  to  schools  where  they  do  not  belong,  the  teacher  shall 
send  them  to  the  right  school,  or  to  the  Superintendent  for  direction. 

22.  TRANSFERS. — The   regular   changes   in   the   schools   from 
term  to  term,  by  transfers  and  promotion  of  classes  or  pupils  from 
one  grade  to  another,  shall  be  fully  arranged,  if  practicable,  during 
the  two  closing  weeks  of  the  term  next  preceding  the  term  when  they 
are  to  go  into  effect.     Other  changes  and  transfers  may  be  made 
during  the  progress  of  the  term,  as  may  be  judged  expedient  by  the 
Committee  or  Superintendent. 

23.  When  pupils  are  dismissed  at  the  close  of  a  session,  they 
shall  pass  quietly  and  promptly  from  the  school  premises. 

24.  Pupils  shall  make  up  neglected  lessons  ;  and  no  pupil  shall 
be  permitted  by  the   Superintendent   to  remain  in  a  class  to  the 
serious  hindrance  of  its  progress. 


12  RULES   AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

25.  Teachers  may  detain   pupils  a  reasonable  time   after  the 
close  of  a  session  for  discipline,  or  to  make  up  neglected  lessons, 
subject,  however,  to  such  limitations  as  the  Superintendent  or  Com- 
mittee may  see  fit  to  prescribe. 

26.  Janitors   and   others    employed   in   any  service   connected 
with  the  school  department  shall  be  under  the  general  direction  of 
the   Superintendent  of  schools,  subject,  as  in  other  cases,  to  the 
Committee. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

OF  THE  SUPERINTENDENT— HIS  POWERS  AND  DUTIES. 

1.  STATUTE,  CITY  ORDINANCE. — The  law  of  the  Commonwealth, 
which  authorizes  the  appointment  of  Superintendents  of  the  public 
schools,  provides  that  "  they  shall  have  the  care  and  supervision  of 
the  schools  under  the  direction  of  the  School  Committee;"  and  the 
city  ordinance  establishing  the  office   here  requires  of  the  person 
holding  the  same,  that  he  shall  also  perform  the  duties  of  School- 
house  Agent  and  Prudential  Committee. 

2.  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER. — Under  the  above  provisions  the  Su- 
perintendent of  schools  is  virtually  the  executive  officer  and  rep- 
resentative agent  of  the  School  Committee,  the  ultimate  responsibility 
of  the  management  of  the  schools  resting  mainly  upon  the  Com- 
mittee.    It  is  therefore  his  special  duty  to   see  that  the  rules  and 
regulations  of  the  Committee  are  properly   observed  and  executed, 
and  all  directions  given  by  them  concerning  the  schools  are  carried 
into  effect. 

3.  DUTIES  :  Two  CLASSES. — The  office  of  Superintendent  there- 
fore comprehends  two  general  classes  of  duties  ;  one  relating  to  the 
arrangements  of  the  schools,  their  classification,  instruction,  disci- 
pline, &c. ;  the  other,  to  their  material  wants,  repairs,  fuel,  books, 
furniture,  &c.     While  each  branch  of  the  service  is  of  great  im- 
portance to  the  schools,  and  should   receive  its   proportional  share 
of  his  supervision   and  labors,  yet  the  first  class  forms    a  higher 
and  more  responsible  grade  of  duties,  and  constitutes  more  appro- 
priately the  Superintendent's  sphere  of  effort.     For  this  reason  it 
is  intended  that  he  shall  be  relieved  as  far  as  possible,  from  the  do- 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  13 

tails  of  the  secondary  department,  in  order  that  he  may  devote  for 
the  most  part  his  time  and  attention  to  the  other,  for  which  the 
office  was  mainly  instituted. 

4.  His  SPECIAL  DUTIES  RESPECTING  THE  COMMITTEE. — He  shall 
keep  them  informed  as  to  the  condition  and  progress  of  the  schools, 
recommend   to   them    from   time    to   time   measures   of   improve- 
ment, such  as  he  may  judge  expedient  to  adopt,  make  a  report  to 
them  oral  or   written  at  each  monthly  meeting,  and  at  such  other 
times  as  they  may  desire,  concerning  the  general  state  of  the  schools, 
particularly  of  those  he  has  visited  the  previous  month,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  year  make  an   Annual  Report  to  the  Board,   to  be 
incorporated  and  published  with  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee. 

5.  His  SPECIAL  DUTIES  RESPECTING  TEACHERS  AND  PUPILS. — 
The  Superintendent  shall,  as  often  as  he  finds  opportunity,  give  to 
the  teachers  such  counsel  and  directions  as  he  may  judge  needful, 
in  respect  to  modes  of  instruction,  and  measures  of  discipline,  and 
other  matters  relating   to   their   daily   employment ;    and  for  this 
purpose,    he   may    whenever    he    thinks  it  expedient,  call    them 
together — all  at  the  same  time,  or  by  sections  or  classes,  at  his  dis- 
cretion, for  such  exercises  as  he  may  judge  will  render  them  aid,  by 
suggestion  or  otherwise,  in  the  performance  of  their  duties,  and  be 
conducive  also  to  their  general  improvement  in  their  profession. 

To  PUPILS. — He  shall  also  visit  the  schools  as  often  as  he  can 
consistently  with  his  other  duties,  and,  as  far  as  practicable,  gain  a 
familiar  acquaintance  with  them  respectively,  give  to  the  pupils  ad- 
vice as  to  their  studies  and  deportment,  encourage  them  in  diligent 
and  faithful  application,  and,  by  all  other  appropriate  means  seek  to 
promote  their  progress. 

6.  DIFFICULTIES  ADJUSTED. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  Superintend- 
ent to  settle  all  difficulties  that    may  arise  in    the    schools,  which 
cannot   be  properly  adjusted    by  the  teachers    themselves,  subject 
to  the  right    of  appeal  to  the  Committee,  provided  however,  that 
in    matters  of  grave  importance    the    Superintendent,   may,  if  he 
judges  it  expedient,  refer  the  same  at  once  to  the   Committee  for 
decision. 

7.  EXAMINING  TEACHERS. — The  examination  of  teachers  shall 
be  conducted  by  the  Superintendent,  with  the  aid  of  the  Chairman 
and   other  members  of  the    Committee  who  may   be   present.     To 
such  candidates  as  are  approved  and  appointed,  certificates  shall  be 


14  RULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

given  of  their  appointment  in  the  usual  form,  signed  by  the  Chair- 
man and  countersigned  by  the  Superintendent 

8.  PROCURING  TEACHERS. — The  Superintendent  is  to  make  it 
an  object  of  paramount  interest  to  procure  for  the  schools  teachers 
of  the  very  best  qualifications  ;  and  for  this  purpose,  he  shall  assign 
as  often  as  he  shall  judge  it  best,  special  times  for  examining  by 
written  exercises,  persons  who  may  apply  or  wish  for  positions  in 
the  schools,  so  that  by  means  of  these  exercises,  in  connection  with 
other  sources  of  information,  a  proper  selection  may  be  made  when- 
ever a  vacancy  occurs. 

9.  All  changes  in  the  classification  of  the  schools  by  transfer  of 
pupils  or  of  classes,  are  to  be  made  under  the  direction  of  the  Su- 
perintendent aided  by  the  Teachers,  the  Chairman  and  other  members 
of  the  Committee  who  may  be  present. 

10.  PAT   ROLL   AND    OTHER  ACCOUNTS. — The   Superintend- 
ent shall  make  up  the  Pay  Roll  of  the  teachers  at  the  close  of  each 
term  according  to  the  rate  of  wages  established  by  the  Committee, 
and   shall   also   approve   all  other  bills  and   accounts  against   the 
school  department  which,  on  examination  he  finds  correct,  and,  on 
being   approved   by   the  Chairman  (as   required  by  the  city  ordi- 
nance) he  shall  present  the  same  for  allowance  to  the  Committee 
on  accounts  of  the   City  Council.     An  accurate  account  shall  be 
kept  of  all  incidental  expenses  incurred  by  him  for  the  department 
during  the  year,  at  the  close  of  which  he  shall  make  a  report  of  the 
same  to  the  Committee. 

11.  ROOM  OF  SUPERINTENDENT — OFFICE  HOURS. — The  Of- 
fae  of  the  Superintendent  is  to  be  kept  in  the  room  in  the  City 

Hall  assigned  for  this  purpose  by  the  City  Government.  Here  all 
the  books,  records,  documents,  and  other  matters  relating  to  the 
school  department,  shall  be  deposited  and  kept  in  proper  order  by 
the  Superintendent.  This  also  shall  be  the  place  for  the  transaction 
of  the  regular  business  of  the  department,  and  for  the  reception  of 
teachers  and  others  desiring  communication  with  the  Superintendent. 
Regular  and  convenient  office  hours  shall  be  appointed  by  him 
for  the  above  purposes,  of  which  due  notice  shall  be  given. 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  15 


CHAPTER  V. 

I.— OF  TEACHERS— THEIR  APPOINTMENT— TENURE  OF  OFFICE, 

ETC. 

APPOINTMENT  —  TENURE  OF  OFFICE. — All  the  teachers  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  Committee  annually,  some  time  during  the  last 
half  of  the  summer  term,  four  weeks  at  least  before  the  close  of  the 
same,  and  written  notice  thereof  shall  be  given  by  the  Secretary  to 
each  teacher  so  appointed  forthwith,  and  the  acceptance  or  non-ac- 
ceptance by  the  teachers  respectively,  shall-  be  signified  to  the  Sec- 
retary before  the  close  of  said  summer  term.  Such  appointment 
shall  take  effect  at  the  beginning  of  the  fall  Term,  and  continue 
until  the  close  of  the  School  Year,  subject  to  the  provision  of  law, 
"  that  the  school  Committee  may  dismiss  from  employment,  any  teacher 
whenever  they  think  proper  " 

On  the  acceptance  of  an  appointment,  it  shall  be  binding  on  the 
teacher  for  the  year  for  which  it  is  made,  unless  released  therefrom 
by  the  Committee  on  account  of  sickness  or  other  good  cause. 

SALARIES. — The  salaries  of  the  teachers  shall  be  fixed  at  the 
time  of  their  appointment,  but  they  may  be  varied  by  the  Commit- 
tee, the  change  to  take  effect  with  the  beginning  of  the  next  term 
after  it  is  made ;  but  if  there  is  a  reduction  in  any  case,  the  teacher 
affected  will  be  at  liberty  to  resign. 

VACANCIES — How  FILLED. — Whenever  a  vacancy  occurs,  either 
temporarily  or  for  the  term,  it  may  be  filled  by  the  Superintendent 
and  Chairman,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Committee. 

II— DUTIES  OF  TEACHERS. 

1.  EXAMPLE. — Tt  is  of  the  highest  importance    that   they  uni- 
formly exhibit  in  their  deportment,  conversation  and  manners,  an 
example  in  every  respect  worthy  of  imitation  by  their  pupils. 

2.  OBSERVANCE    OF   RULES.  —  Teachers   should   make  them- 
selves familiar  with  all  the  rules,  regulations  and  directions  of  the 
Committee  and  Superintendent,  and  always  aim  in  good  faith  to  ob- 


16  EULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

serve  the  same  and  carry  them  into  full  effect,  according  to  their 
true  spirit  and  meaning. 

3.  GOOD   ORDER. — As  no  school  can  be  successful  without  the 
maintenance  of  good  order  and  proper  subordination,  it  is  the  duty 
of  every  teacher  to  use  suitable  means  for  gaining  this  end.     With 
this  view,  they  should  endeavour  to  win  the  confidence  and  love  of 
their  pupils,  relying  upon  this  as  the  mainspring  of  their  govern- 
ment ;  and  they  should  also,  as  far  as  they  can,  learn  the  peculiar 
temperaments,  habits  and  capabilities  of  their  pupils,  so  as  to  be  able 
the  better  to  adapt  both  discipline  and  instruction  to  their  individual 
necessities. 

4.  AID   OF   PARENTS. — In  pursuance  of  the  same  end,  teachers 
should  endeavor,  as  far  as  they  can,  to  make  the  acquaintance  of 
the  parents  of  their  pupils,  by  visiting  their  homes  and  otherwise,  so 
as  to  gain  their  sympathies  and  co-operation  in  their  daily  work  and 
trials  at  the  school.     Difficulties  may  thereby  be  often  prevented, 
and  when  they  do  occur,  may  be  the  more  easily  settled. 

5.  GOOD   BEHAVIOR. — The  constitution  and  laws  of  the  State 
designate  "  Good  Behavior  "  as  an  object  of  primary  importance  in 
the  education  of  the  public  school. 

In  obedience  to  this  injunction,  it  is  the  duty  of  teachers  to  watch 
with  scrupulous  care  over  the  morals  and  manners  of  their  pupils, 
and  endeavor  by  all  proper  means  to  prevent  and  suppress  deceit, 
lying,  profanity  and  every  other  vicious  and  disgraceful  practice,  and 
in  place  thereof,  form  and  establish  those  virtuous  principles  and 
habits  of  conduct  that  will  not  only  inure  to  the  benefit  of  the  pupils 
while  at  school,  but  endow  them  with  elements  of  character  of  dura- 
ble and  priceless  value. 

6.  SUPERVISION. — It  is  also  the  duty  of  teachers,  in  obedience 
to  the  same  requirement,  to  exercise  a  general  supervision  and  con- 
trol over  the  conduct  of  their  pupils,  not  only  during  school  hours  and 
in  the  school-room,  but  also  during  recess,  and  directly  before  and 
after  school,  and  at  other  times  while  on  the  premises,  or  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  same,  and  as  far  as  practicable  and  lawful, 
while  coming  to  and  returning  from  school. 

7.  ABSENCES  AND  SUBSTITUTES  NOT  ALLOWED. — No  teacher 
shall  ever  be  absent  from  the  school  without  the  permission  of  the 
Superintendent  or  Committee,  unless  it  be  on  a  sudden  emergency 
or  necessity,  when  such  permission  cannot  be  readily  obtained ;  nor 
shall  a  teacher  ever  introduce  a  substitute  into  the  school  except  with 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  17 

the  express  sanction  of  the  Superintendent  or  Committee  at  the 
time.  In  cases  of  absence,  a  proportional  deduction  from  the  wages 
will  be  made,  unless  there  are  peculiar  and  satisfactory  reasons  for 
allowing  full  payment  of  the  same. 

8.  TEACHERS'   ASSOCIATION. — This   association,   which    is    of 
several  years'  standing,  is  recognized  by  the  Committee  as  a  valu- 
able auxiliary  in  our  educational  arrangements ;  and  all  the  teachers 
are  members  ex-officio,  and  are  required  to  attend  the  meetings  and 
contribute  severally  their  share  in  rendering  the  exercises  interesting 
and  useful.     All  failures  to  attend  will  be   noted  by  the  Secretary, 
and  a  return  of  the  same,  with  a  report  concerning  the  proceedings 
of  the  association,  will  be  made  by  him  to  the  Committee  at  the  end 
of  each  term. 

9.  OTHER  CONVENTIONS  OR  MEETINGS. — It  is  also  hereby  made 
the  duty  of  the  teachers  to  attend  occasional  meetings  that  may  be 
called  by  the  Superintendent  or  Committee  for  their  benefit  and  pro- 
fessional improvement,  by  lectures  or  otherwise ;  and  for  the  same 
purpose,  it  is  recommended  that  they  give  their  attendance  (unless 
prevented  by  necessary  causes)  at  the  STATE  and  COUNTY  Conven- 
tions and  other  like  educational  meetings ;  provided,  however,  that 
if  the  same  occur  during  term-time,  the  attendance  of  the  teachers 
will  be  subject  to   the  discretion  of  the  Committee   in  giving  or 
withholding  permission  to  suspend  the  schools  for  that  purpose. 

Teachers   may   also   occasionally,   with    the   permission    of  the 
Superintendent,  visit  other  public  schools  for  the  same  purpose 

10.  NORMAL  SCHOOL. — And  it  is  further  recommended  that  the 
teachers,  as  they  have  opportunity,  visit  the  STATE  NORMAL  SCHOOL 
at  Westfield,  where  they  can  see  the  practical  operation  of  the  Nor- 
mal system,  as  specially  illustrated  in  the  "school  of  observation"  con- 
nected with  the  institution,  and  may,  from  carefully  observing  the 
various  exercises  of  the  institution,  obtain    hints  and    suggestions 
that  will  be  of  much  value  in  teaching  and  managing  their  own 
schools. 

11.  REPORTS. — Monthly  reports  are  required  to  be  made  by  the 
several  teachers  to  the   Superintendent,  concerning  the  condition  of 
their  respective  schools,  and  containing  some  of  the  most  important 
facts  that  have  occurred  therein  during  the  month,  the  details  of  which 
are  indicated  in  the  blank  forms  furnished  by  the  Superintendent  for 
this  purpose. 

At  the  close  of  the  school -year  a  general  summary  of  the  details 
3 


18  RULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

referred  to  above  is  to  be  prepared  by  each  teacher  and  returned  to 
the  Superintendent,  in  the  form  prescribed  by  him. 

12.  SCHOOL  REGISTER. — It  is  also  required  of  each  teacher  to 
keep  a  REGISTER  of  the  school  during  the  year,  in  the  form  pre- 
scribed by  law,  and  return  the  same  at  the  end  of  the  year  to  the 
Superintendent. 

Among  the  items  recorded  in  the  register,  it  is  now  required  of 
the  teachers  that  they  note  by  name  the  visits  made  to  their  respect- 
ive schools  by  members  of  the  Committee,  the  Superintendent, 
teachers  and  others. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OF  DISCIPLINE  IN  THE  SCHOOLS. 

GOVERNMENT  PARENTAL. — The  government  and  discipline  of 
a  school  should  be  that  of  a  well  regulated  family,  in  which  mutual 
love  exists  between  the  head  and  all  the  different  members,  inspiring 
the  whole  with  a  spirit  of  harmony  and  kindness :  For  the  teacher 
stands  morally  as  well  as  legally  in  loco  parentis,  and  in  the  way  of 
discipline  is  charged  with  similar  powers  and  duties. 

DIFFERENT  MODES. — Different  modes  of  management  and  dis- 
cipline are  resorted  to,  as  circumstances  may  require  ;  but  it  may  be 
laid  down  as  a  rule  preliminary  to  all  others,  that  firm  and  reliable 
discipline  cannot  be  maintained  in  a  school  unless  the  TEACHER 
GOVERNS  IT  HIMSELF,  without  ordinarily  resorting  to  outside  helps 
to  bolster  up  his  authority.  The  practice  of  sending  common  cases 
of  discipline  to  the  Superinteudent  or  Committee  for  disposal  is 
vexatious  to  them,  while  its  direct  tendency  is  to  destroy  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  the  pupils  towards  the  teacher. 

1.  KIND    APPEALS. — The   first   and    most   agreeable   of   all 
modes  of  controlling  a  school,  is  by  kind  words  and  persuasive  ap- 
peals to  the  conscience  and  better  feelings  of  the  pupils. 

2.  GOOD    HABITS. — By   forming    and    cultivating   among    the 
pupils  individually,  habits  of  correct  deportment  and  conduct,  based 
upon  a  just  appreciation  of  what  is  IN  ITSELF  RIGHT  OR  WRONG. 

3.  SLIGHT  MISCONDUCT. — In  case  cf  slight  mis-behavior,  kind 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  19 

and  gentle  admonitions  given  privately,  sometimes  fully  answer  the 
purpose  of  discipline. 

4.  FOR  GRAVER  OFFENCES. — For  more  serious  offences   or 
the  persistent  repetition  of  the  same  misconduct  after  admonitions 
given,  punishments  more  or  less  severe,  according  to  the  degree  of 
the  offence,  must  be  resorted  to.     Such  are  reprimands  given  pri- 
vately, or  openly  before  the  school,  or  placing  the  offending  pupil  in 
a  position  of  disgrace,  as  an  object  of  displeasure  and  censure  on 
account  of  his  misconduct,  and  other  like  modes  of  discipline  for  the 
reform  of  the  pupil,  which  the  teacher  may  devise. 

5.  AGGRAVATED  MISCONDUCT — CORPORAL  PUNISHMENT. — 
But  cases  of  obstinate  and  aggravated  misconduct,  or  of  pointed 
and  defiant  resistance  to  the  government  of  the  school  sometimes 
occur,  which  compel  the  teacher  to  fall  back  upon  the  reserved  right 
to  inflict  corporal  punishment,  as  well  for  the  reform  of  the  offender, 
as  to  maintain  his  own  supremacy  in  the  school ;  but,  as  a  general 
rule,  it  should   be  resorted  to  only  after  milder  means  have  been 
fairly  tried  without  success ;  it  being  the  determined  policy  of  the 
Committee  to  do  away  with  this  punishment,  especially  in  its  harsher 
features,  as  far  as  it  can  be  done  consistently,  with  the  due  main- 
tenance of  good  order  and  discipline  in  the  schools.     The  punish- 
ment, when  the  necessity  for  it  occurs,  should  be  administered,  gen- 
erally not  in  the  presence  of  the  school,  but  after  due  deliberation, 
and  in  a  proper  and  cautious  manner. 

EXCEPTIONAL  CASES. — Exceptional  cases  may  occur,  requiring 
some  deviation  from  the  order  or  degree  of  punishments  as  indicated 
above.  For  example :  sudden  and  violent  opposition  to  the  authority 
of  the  teacher,  may  call  for  instant  punishment  on  the  spot,  in  the 
presence  of  the  school,  without  waiting  for  the  trial  of  other  means 
of  correction.  Such  cases  are  rare,  and  must  be  left  to  the  disposal 
of  the  teacher  in  view  of  the  circumstances  before  him. 

SUSPENSIONS — EXPULSIONS. — In  case  of  pupils  of  a  comparatively 
mature  age,  especially  those  of  the  female  sex,  it  may  be  expedient 
to  adopt  as  a  substitute  for  this  punishment,  suspension  by  the 
teacher,  to  be  followed  with  expulsion  by  the  Committee,  if  they 
shall  judge  that  the  offender  has  become  so  incorrigible  as  to  be  no 
longer  a  fit  member  of  the  school.  But  suspension  should  not  be 
resorted  to  by  teachers,  except  for  grave  offences  ;  and  expulsion 
by  the  Committee  will  not  be  adopted  except  in  the  last  extremity, 
when  reform  in  the  common  school  is  evidently  hopeless. 


20  RULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

6.  CAUTION  TO  TEACHERS. — It  is  especially  enjoined  upon  teach- 
ers to  conform  in  their  practice  at  all  times  to  the  views  of  the 
Committee  as  expressed  in  the  foregoing  articles  in  relation  to  school 
discipline,  especially  corporal  punishments,  avoiding  on  the  one  hand, 
that  lenity  which  marks  a  morbid  and  inefficient  policy,  and  on  the 
other,  a  harsh,  arbitrary  and  tyrannical  administration,  which  should 
never  find  place  either  in  the  school  or  family. 

The  teachers  are  required  to  return,  in  their  monthly  reports, 
the  names  of  pupils  suspended  during  the  month  and  the  reasons  ; 
also,  the  names  of  pupils  who  have  received  corporal  punishment 
and  their  offences. 

7.  IRREGULAR  ATTENDANCE — TARDINESS — TRUANCY. — These  are 
evils  of  such  frequency  and  magnitude  as  to  require  the  adoption  of 
strong  measures  in  checking  their  growth  and  counteracting  their 
bad  effects  and  tendencies. 

GENERAL  RULE. — The  general  rule  in  relation  to  irregular  attend- 
ance is,  that  necessity  alone,  arising  from  sickness  or  other  satisfac- 
tory cause,  can  justify  absence;  and  in  every  instance  a  written 
excuse  or  personal  explanation  shall  be  required  of  the  parent  or 
guardian  on  the  return  of  the  pupil  to  school. 

ABSENTEEISM — CORRECTIVE  RULES. — Absences  by  the  direction 
or  permission  of  parents  cannot  be  accounted  as  offences  punishable 
at  school,  as  the  responsibility  rests  virtually  with  the  parents ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  when  absenteeism  prevails  to  such  an  extent,  or 
is  of  such  a  character  as  to  inflict  serious  injury  upon  the  schools,  it  is 
due  to  the  pupils  who  are  regular  in  attendance  that  their  rights  in 
the  matter  be  protected ;  and  for  this  purpose  the  Committee  are 
bound  to  adopt  effectual  measures  for  lessening  the  evil. 

The  Committee  have  therefore  adopted  the  following  regulations : 

1.  IN  ITS  FIRST  STAGES. — If  a  pupil  is  absent  from  school  with- 
out an  excuse  satisfactory  to  the  teacher,  and  after  suitable  caution 
still  continues  the  practice,  lowering  thereby  essentially  his  own 
standard  of  scholarship,  and  retarding  the  progress  of  the  class  with 
which  he  is  connected,  the  case  shall  be  referred  to  the  Superintend- 
ent, who  may  place  the  pupil  in  a  lower  and  more  suitable  grade  of 
schools. 

2.  IN  ITS  NEXT  STAGES. — If  the  irregularity  rises  to  a  higher 
degree,  and  is  of  a  more  aggravated  and  injurious  character,  then 
the  pupil  shall  have  his  place  assigned  him  by  the  Superintendent  in 
the  UNGRADED  SCHOOL  on  State  Street  (specially  designed  for  pupils 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  21 

of  such  habits),  where  his  irregular  attendance  will  do  the  least  harm 
to  others. 

3.  IN  THE  LAST  STAGES — SUSPENDED. — If  the  practice  is  still 
obstinately  persisted  in  after  suitable  warning,  then  the  Committee, 
may  suspend  the  pupil  from  all  the  schools,  until  satisfactory  assur- 
ances are  given  by  the  parent  that  he  will  be  regular  in  his  attend- 
ance. 

Some  deviation  from  the  order  and  course  of  discipline  marked 
out  above  may  sometimes  be  required  by  peculiar  circumstances.  A 
more  summary  treatment  may  in  some  cases  be  necessary.  This 
must  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Superintendent  and  Committee. 

TARDINESS,  if  not  excused  by  the  parent,  is  accounted  a  misde- 
meanor for  which  the  offender  is  liable  to  be  punished  at  school ;  but 
if  authorized  by  the  parent,  the  same  rule  applies  in  respect  to  ex- 
cuses as  in  the  case  of  absences. 

TRUANCY. — This  offence  in  its  incipient  stages,  is  properly  a  sub- 
ject of  discipline  in  the  school,  and  all  suitable  means  should  be 
adopted  there  for  reclaiming  the  offender;  but  when  the  practice  is 
obstinately  pursued  and  grows  into  a  vicious  habit,  so  as  to  be 
beyond  the  control  and  influence  of  the  teachers,  then  the  offender 
is  more  properly  a  subject  for  the  disposal  of  the  Police  Court,  to 
be  sent,  on  conviction,  to  the  TRUANT  SCHOOL,  at  the  city  alms- 
house,  established  as  a  school  of  reform  for  such  offenders. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

OF  INSTRUCTION  IN  THE  SCHOOLS. 

1.  TEXT  BOOKS — COURSE  OF  STUDIES. — The  Text  Books,  now 
in  use  in  the  schools,  are  hereby  adopted  by  the  Committee,  and 
none  other  shall  be  used  unless  by  their  special  permission. 

The  system  or  course  of  studies,  for  the  series  of  twelve  consecutive 
school  years  now  followed  in  the  schools,  is  hereby  adopted  by  the 
Committee,  and  is  subjoined  to  this  code  of  Rules  and  Regulations, 
as  a  part  of  the  same,  to  be  duly  followed  by  the  teachers  in  its  proper 
order. 


22  EULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

2.  MODES  OF. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  teachers  to  follow  the  sug- 
gestions and  directions  that  may  be  given  them  from  time  to  time,  by 
the  Superintendent  as  he  visits  their  respective  schools,  and  on  other 
occasions  concerning  the  best  modes  of  instruction  in  the  different 
branches  taught  by  them. 

3.  THOROUGH. — All  instruction  given  by  teachers  should  be  as 
thorough  as  possible,  the  pupils  being  required  clearly  to  understand 
all  rules,  definitions,  processes,  arithmetical  or   otherwise,  in  each 
branch  of  study  taught,  with  the  principles  and  reasons  involved, 
utterly  discarding  the  too  common    practice  of  using  the  memory 
alone,  of  committing  words  without  ideas. 

PRACTICAL. — So  also  instruction  should  be  made  practical  as  far 
as  it  well  can  be,  by  showing  to  the  pupils  distinctly  the  various 
applications  that  may  be  made  of  the  knowledge  they  are  acquiring 
at  school  to  the  common  arts  and  business  of  life,  thus  giving  a 
double  interest  to  their  school  exercises. 

4.  HELPS   IN  TEACHING. — The  various  helps  in  teaching,  which 
are  within  reach,  should  be  used  freely  and  constantly.     Among 
these  is  the  black-board,  suitable  for  all  grades  of  schools,  and  for 
almost  every  branch  of  study,  and  provided  in  every  school-room, 
yet  not  always  adequately  appreciated  and  made  use  of.     So  also 
the  simple  illustrations  in  the  attractive  methods  of  object  teaching, 
may  be  most  usefully  employed  in  teaching  geography  and  other 
kindred  branches,  and  generally  in  training  the  pupils  to  the  practice 
of  observing  and  minutely  studying  the  objects  both  of  nature  and 
of  art  with  which  they  come  in  daily  contact. 

5.  GENERAL  EXERCISES. — In  the  general  oral  exercises,  at  those 
intervals  in  the  school  hours,  when  the  regular  studies  are  for  a 
while  suspended,  the  opportunity  may  be  profitably  and  agreeably 
improved  for  miscellaneous  instructions  on  topics  of  natural  philoso- 
phy, physiology,  chemistry,  &c.,  or  familiar  illustrations  of  valuable 
truths  and  principles,  drawn  from  passing  incidents  and  events,  from 
the  great  enterprises,  inventions,  &c.,  of  the  present  times ;  thus  im- 
parting to  the   pupils  a  fund  of  knowledge,  which  they  may  not 
otherwise  have  the  means  of  obtaining. 

6.  GYMNASTICS. — Gymnastics  shall  be  regularly  taught  and  prac- 
ticed in  all  the  schools,  in  the  Primary,  in  the  simpler  forms  only  ; 
in  the  High  School  and  Grammar  Schools,  in  the  common  and  also 
in  the  more  elaborate  forms. 

7.  PENMANSHIP,  Music,  &c. — Whenever  teachers  of  penmanship, 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  23 

music,  or  other  departments  of  instruction  are  appointed  to  give 
occasional  lessons  on  those  branches  in  the  schools,  they  shall  re- 
ceive the  aid  and  co-operation  of  the  regular  teachers,  to  be  ren- 
dered at  the  time  the  lessons  are  given,  and  also  by  subsequent 
exercises  of  the  same  kind,  conducted  by  the  regular  teachers  them- 
selves ;  and  for  this  purpose,  the  latter  shall  make  themselves  as  far 
as  practicable,  familiar  with  the  branch  of  instruction  so  taught. 

8.  EXAMINATIONS. — Public  Examinations  of  the  several  schools 
shall  be  held  whenever  the  Committee  and  Superintendent  may 
think  it  expedient,  and  they  shall  be  under  his  direction,  with  the 
aid  of  any  special  Committee  that  may  be  appointed  for  this  pur- 
pose. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    HIGH    SCHOOL. 

1.  THIS  school  is  designed  for  the  most  advanced  pupils ;  and 
completes  the  education  given  in  our  public  schools. 

2.  TEACHERS. — The  teachers  of  the  High  School,  consist  of  a 
principal,  a  teacher  of  the  classical  department,  four  female  teach- 
ers, to  one  of  whom  is  assigned  the  special  charge  of  the  preparatory 
department. 

3.  PRINCIPAL. — The  principal  of  the  school  is  charged  with  its 
general  superintendence  and  government  in  all  the  departments,  and 
is  authorized  to  make  such  arrangements  in  regard  to  the  classifica- 
tion, studies,  and  general  management  of  the  school,  as  he,  in  con- 
currence with  the  Superintendent,  shall  judge  best,  subject  however, 
to  the  rules  and  regulations  adopted  by  the  Committee,  and  to  any 
special  directions  given  by  them  from  time  to  time,  either  directly 
or  through  the  Superintendent. 

4.  PREPARATORY  DEPARTMENT. — The  Preparatory  Department 
is  a  subordinate  branch  of  the  High  School,  in  which  beginners 
receive  lessons  in  the  study  of  Latin,  and  at  the  same  time  are 
instructed  in  the  usual  course  of  English  studies  of  the  Grammar 
Schools,  and  is  designed  particularly  for  pupils  who  are  preparing 


24  RULES    AND   REGULATIONS    OF 

» 

for  college,  and  who  on  this  account  wish  to  begin  the  study  of  Latin 
at  an  early  period.  If  this  department  at  any  time  is  not  properly 
filled  by  the  above  class,  then  others  may  be  admitted  (at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Superintendent  and  Committee)  who  desire  to  attend 
to  the  study  of  Latin  before  they  are  qualiBed  for  admission  into  the 
High  School ;  and  if,  with  both  the  above  classes,  there  should  still 
be°a  deficiency  of  members  in  the  department,  the  appointed  teacher 
of  the  same  may  be  assigned  to  such  other  duties  in  the  instruction 
of  pupils  or  classes  in  the  school  as  the  principal,  in  concurrence 
with  the  Superintendent,  may  judge  best. 

5.  ADMISSION  OF  PUPILS.— A  new  class  is  formed  once  a  year 
(and  at  no  other  time),  namely,  at  the  beginning  of  the  school-year, 
coincident  with  the  beginning  of  the  Fall  term ;  and  in  the  formation 
of  the  class,  pupils  are  admitted  at  the  close  of  the  Summer  term,  on 
examination  under  the  direction  of  the  Superintendent  and  Commit- 
tee, with  the  aid  of  the  principal,  notice  of  which  is  given  at  the  time 
in  the  public  newspapers  of  the  city.     Pupils  may  also  be  admitted 
at  the  beginning  of  the  other  terms,  provided  they  are  found  on  ex- 
amination to  be  qualified  to  enter  the  class  previously  formed  and 

then  in  progress. 

6.  QUALIFICATIONS.— The  qualifications   for  admission  are,  in 
general  terms,  that  the  accepted  candidates  shall  be  GOOD  SPELLERS 
AND  GOOD  READERS,  and  thoroughly  versed  in  all  the  branches  taught 
in  the  Grammar  and  other  subordinate  schools,  namely,  Writing, 
Arithmetic,  Geography,  Grammar  and  the  History  of  the  United 

States. 

7.  CONDITIONS  OF  MEMBERSHIP. — Each  pupil  admitted,  becomes 
and   will  continue   a  member  of  the  school,  only  on   condition  of 
regular  attendance,  a  faithful  discharge   of  duty,  strict   compliance 
with  the  regulations  of  the  school,  and  the  maintenance  of  a  proper 
standing  in  his  classes. 

8.  LECTURES. — The  school  is  now  furnished  to  such  an  extent 
with  philosophical,  chemical,  and  other  apparatus,  that  the  principal, 
in  addition  to  the  regular  lessons   and  recitations  of  the  school,  is 
enabled  to  give  instructions  by  lectures,  and  experiments  in  several 
of  the  branches  of  natural  science. 

9.  COURSE  OF  STUDIES— DIPLOMAS.— At  the  close  of  each  school 
year,  those  pupils  who  have  completed,  satisfactorily  to  the  Commit- 
tee, the  prescribed  course  of  studies,  either  English  or  Classical,  are 
entitled  to  receive  at  their  hands  Diplomas  of  graduation. 


THE   PUBLIC    SCHOOLS.  25 


ADDITIONAL    PROVISIONS. 

1.  RULES  MODIFIED,  &c. — Any   of  the  Rules  or  Regulations 
contained  in  the  foregoing  code,  may  be  modified  or  suspended  in 
their  operation,  or  entirely  repealed,  by  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  Com- 
mittee present  at  a  meeting  duly  called  for  that  purpose ;  and  the 
Superintendent  shall  have  a  like  discretion  (with  the  concurrence 
of  the  Chairman  or  any  two  other  members  of  the  Committee)  in 
cases  of  emergency,  to  modify  or  suspend  for  the  time,  any  of  the 
rules,  subject  however,  to  the  revision  of  the  Board. 

2.  RULES  IN  EACH  SCHOOL. — A  printed  copy  of  the  foregoing 
Rules  and  Regulations  shall  be  placed  by  the  Superintendent  on  the 
teacher's  desk  in  each  school-room  of  the  city,  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  the  school  kept  therein,  to  be  referred  to  from  time  to  time  by  the 
teacher  as  occasion  may  suggest,  for  the  guidance  of  both  teacher 
and  pupils  in  the  discharge  of  their  respective  duties. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  School  Committee  of  the  City  of  Springfield, 
on  Tuesday,  the  17th  day  of  September,  1867,  specially  called  to 
consider  the  foregoing  Rules  and  Regulations,  and  the  adoption  of 
the  same,  after  due  deliberation,  it  was  voted  that  the  same  be 
adopted  and  published,  signed  by  th|  Chairman  and  Secretary  in 
behalf  of  the  Committee,  and  entered  upon  the  records  of  the  School 
Department. 

JOSIAH  HOOKER,  Chairman. 

E.  A.  HUBBARD,  Secretary. 


Appendix. 


COURSE     OF     STUDY. 


FIKST  YEAK. 

SARGENT'S  PRIMER  thoroughly  read.  Questions  upon  reading  lessons.  The 
words  in  columns,  also  in  reading  lessons  to  be  spelled  by  letters  and  sounds. 
Give  particular  attention  to  enunciation,  correct  bad  habits,  and  insist  upon  the 
use  of  good  English.  Use  tablets  or  charts.  Use  the  Primary  School  slate,  No. 
1,  and  blackboard  for  printing  small  letters,  capitals  and  short  words.  Develop 
the  idea  of  numbers,  and,  using  real  objects,  as  marbles,  beans  or  the  numeral 
frame,  count  by  ones  and  twos  to  one  hundred.  Punctuation  marks  and  their 
use  partly.  Object  lessons  on  color,  form  and  size  with  illustrations  from  real 
objects.  Verses  and  maxims  repeated.  Singing  for  five  minutes,  also  physical 
exercises  for  the  same  time  twice  each  session.  Lessons  for  oral  instruction 
drawn  from  "Hooker's  Child's  Book  of  Common  Things." 


SECOND  YEAR. 

SARGENT'S  FIRST  READER,  thoroughly  read.  Pupils  to  be  questioned  about 
reading  lesson,  and  to  be  encouraged  to  ask  questions  about  it.  The  words  in 
columns,  also  in  the  lesson  to  be  spelled  by  letters  and  sounds.  Syllabication. 
Names  and  uses  of  punctuation  marks.  Printing  and  drawing  on  slate  No.  1, 
for  a  part  of  the  year.  "Writing  the  Arabic  figures  and  script  letters  with  slate 
No.  2,  commenced.  Oral  lessons  in  Geography  with  the  use  of  the  globe.  Map 
drawing  commenced.  Abbreviations  commenced.  Addition  and  Subtraction 
of  small  numbers,  with  practical  examples.  Verses,  maxims,  singing,  physical 
exercises  and  object  lessons  as  first  year. 


28  RULES    AND    REGULATIONS     OF 


THIRD  YEAR. 

SARGENT'S  SECOND  READER.  SARGENT'S  SPELLER  to  "Class  6."  "Words 
from  reading  lessons  to  be  spelled  by  letters  and  sounds.  Reading  lessons  and 
the  meaning  of  words  to  be  talked  about.  Words  defined.  Abbreviations 
completed.  Addition  and  Multiplication  tables  learned.  Addition,  Subtrac- 
tion, Multiplication,  Division  and  Fractions  by  oral  lessons  with  practical  ex- 
amples. Intellectual  Arithmetic  commenced.  General  Geography  taught  by 
the  use  of  the  globe,  and  the  Geography  of  Massachusetts  by  the  use  of  the 
map.  Map  drawing,  writing  and  drawing  on  slate  No.  2.  Counting  forwards 
to  one  hundred,  and  backwards  to  one.  Notation  to  1,000.  Verses,  maxims, 
physical  exercises,  singing,  oral  instruction  and  object  lessons  as  previous  years. 


FOURTH  YEAR. 

THIRD  READER.  Words  from  reading  lessons  spelled  and  defined.  Reading 
lessons  discussed.  Speller  (oral  spelling)  to  "  Class  8."  Particular  attention  to 
enunciation.  Writing.  Primary  Geography  commenced.  Drawing  and  Intel- 
lectual Arithmetic  continued.  Frequent  drill  in  adding,  subtracting,  multiply- 
ing and  dividing  to  secure  facility  and  accuracy  using  Walton's  tables,  slates 
and  blackboards.  The  principles  of  music  and  singing  taught.  Gymnastics  for 
a  few  minutes  each  session.  Oral  instruction  in  Physical  Geography.  Object 
lessons,  and  lessons  on  Morals  and  •  Manners  through  the  year.  Geography 
studied  in  connection  with  articles  of  commerce.  Map  drawing.  Writing  sim- 
ple sentences,  narrations,  &c.,  to  be  continued  to  seventh  year. 


FIFTH  YEAR. 

INTERMEDIATE  READER.  Words  from  reading  lessons  spelled  and  defined. 
Speller  (oral  spelling)  to  "Class  11."  Particular  attention  given  to  incorrect 
expressions  and  wrong  pronunciation.  Primary  Geography  and  Intellectual 
Arithmetic  completed.  Advanced  Geography  commenced.  Map  drawing. 
Written  Arithmetic  to  fractions.  Writing  and  Drawing  continued.  Drill  with 
Walton's  tables,  Music  and  Gymnastics  as  fourth  year.  General  questions  asked 
and  investigations  encouraged.  Morals  and  Manners.  Oral  instruction  on 
plants,  using  "  The  Child's  Book  of  Nature,"  part  first,  and  other  kindred  works 
for  reference,  also  real  objects. 


THE   PUBLIC   SCHOOLS. 


29 


SIXTH  YEAR. 

INTERMEDIATE  READER,  with  discussion  of  words  and  phrases,  spelling  and 
defining  as  fifth  year.  Spelling  to  "  Class  14."  Spelling  (vocal  and  by  writing.) 
Geography  and  Map  drawing.  Written  Arithmetic  to  percentage  with  analysis 
of  problems  as  in  Mental  Arithmetic.  Gymnastics,  Writing,  Music  and  drill 
with  Walton's  tables,  Morals  and  Manners  as  fifth  year.  Oral  instruction  and 
object  lessons  upon  subjects  drawn  from  Natural  History.  Books  of  reference, 
The  Child's  Book  of  Nature,  Natural  History,  Zoology,  &c. 


SEVENTH  YEAR. 


ENGLISH  COURSE. 

(Fall  Term.) 

Arithmetic,  with  analysis  as  sixth  year. 
Geography. 
English  Grammar,  by  oral  instruction. 

(Winter  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

Geography,  completed. 
English  Grammar. 

(Summer  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
English  Grammar. 
Declamation  during  the  year. 


PREPARATORY  DEPARTMENT  IN 
LATIN. 

(Fall  Term.) 

Arithmetic  as  in  English  Course. 
Geography. 
Latin  Grammar  or  Lessons. 

(Winter  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

Geography,  completed, 
Latin  Grammar  and  Reader,  or  Lessons. 

(Summer  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
Latin  Grammar  and  Reader,  or  lessons. 


Reading  (Fourth  Reader),  Composition,  Writing,  Music,  Spelling,  Gymnastics,  Drill 
with  Walton's  Tables,  Morals  and  Manners,  and  oral  instruction  and  object  lessons  upon 
subjects  drawn  from  Natural  Philosophy  and  Chemistry  through  the  year. 

Books  of  reference,  The  Child's  Book  of  Nature,  Science  of  Common  Things. 


EIGHTH  YEAR. 


ENGLISH  COURSE. 

(Fall  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
English  Grammar. 

(Winter  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
English  Grammar. 
Book-keeping. 

(Summer  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
English  Grammar. 
Geography  reviewed. 
Book-keeping. 


LATIN  PREPARATORY. 

(Fall  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
Latin  Grammar  and  Reader. 

(Winter  Term.) 
Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
Latin  Grammar  and  Reader. 
Viri  Romse. 

(Summer  Term.) 

Arithmetic. 

History  of  United  States. 
Latin  Grammar  and  Viri  Romse. 
Writing  Latin  during  the  year. 


Reading  (Fourth  Reader),  Speller,  Declamation,  Composition,  Writing,  Music,  Gym- 
nastics, Drill  with  Walton's  Tables,  Morals  and  Manners,  and  oral  instruction  with  ob- 
ject lessons  upon  subjects  drawn  from  Physiology  and  Astronomy,  through  the  year. 

Reference,  First  Book  in  Physiology,  Child's  Book  of  Nature,  etc.,  etc. 


30 


RULE8    AND    REGULATIONS    OF 


NINTH  YEAR. 


ENGLISH  COURSE. 
(Fall  Term.) 

Arithmetic  reviewed. 
Physical  Geography. 
English  Grammar. 

(Winter  Term.) 

Algebra  commenced. 

Physical  Geography  completed. 

English  Grammar. 

(Summer  Term.) 

Algebra  continued. 
Natural  Philosophy  commenced. 
History  of  England  commenced. 
Spelling  through  the  year. 


CLASSICAL  COURSE. 
(Fall  Term.) 

]  Arithmetic  reviewed. 

'  Lat.  Gram.,  Nepos  or  Cseser  commenced. 

Greek  Grammar  and  Lessons. 

Roman  History  and  Ancient  Geography. 

(Winter  Term.) 
Algebra  commenced. 
Lat.  Gram.,  Nepos  or  Csesar  completed. 
Greek  Grammar  and  Lessons. 
Roman  History  and  Ancient  Geography. 

( Summer  Term.) 
Algebra  continued. 
Latin,  Grammar,  Cicero's  Orations. 
Greek  Grammar  and  Lessons. 
Roman  History  and  Ancient  Geography. 
Written  Translations  during  the  year. 


Reading,  Declamations  and  Composition  every  week  during  the  year. 


TENTH  YEAR. 


ENGLISH  COURSE. 

(Fall  Term.) 
Algebra  completed. 
Geometry  commenced. 
Natural  Philosophy  completed, 
[istory  of  England  completed. 


Hist 


(Winter   Term.) 


Geometry  continued. 
Chemistry  commenced. 
Rhetoric  commenced. 

(Summer  Term.) 

Geometry  completed. 

Chemistry  completed. 

Rhetoric  completed. 

English  Classics. 

Spelling  and  Defining  during  the  year. 


CLASSICAL  COURSE. 

(Fall  Term.) 

Algebra  completed,  Geometry  commenced. 
Latin  Grammar,  Cicero's  Orations. 
Greek  Grammar,  Anabasis. 
Grecian  and  Roman  History,  Anc.  Geog'y. 

(Winter   Term.) 
Geometry  continued. 
Latin  Grammar,  Cicero's  Orations. 
Greek  Grammar,  Anabasis. 
Grecian  and  Roman  History. 
(Summer  Term.) 
Natural  Philosophy. 
Latin  Pros.,  Virgil  (jEneid.) 
Greek  Grammar,  Anabasis. 
Grecian  and  Roman  History. 
Greek  and  Latin  Prose  Composition  during 
the  year. 


Reading,  Declamation  and  Composition  during  the  year. 


ELEVENTH  YEAR. 

ENGLISH  COURSE.  CLASSICAL  COURSE. 


( Fall  Term.) 

Trigonometry  commenced. 

Geology  commenced. 

Physiology. 

Book-keeping. 

English  Classics. 

French. 

(Winter   Term.) 

Trigonometry  completed. 
Geology  completed. 
Science  of  Government. 
Mental  Philosophy  commenced. 
English  Classics. 
French. 


(Fall  Term.) 

Latin  Prosody,  Virgil  (.ZEneid.) 
Greek  Grammar,  Anabasis. 
English  Grammar. 
Grecian  and  Roman  History. 

(Winter    Term.) 

Virgil  (Bucolics  and  Georgica.) 
Homer's  Iliad. 
Mathematics  reviewed. 


THE   PUBLIC   SCHOOLS.  31 

ENGLISH  COURSE.  CLASSICAL  COURSE. 

(Summer  Term.) 
Virgil  (Georgics)  finished. 
Reviews. 

Greek  and  Latin  Prose  Composition  during 
the  year. 


(Summer  Term.) 
Surveying  commenced. 
Mental  Philosophy  completed. 
Botany. 
Zoology. 


|ogy- 

English  Classics. 
French. 
Reading,  Declamation  and  English  Composition  during  the  year. 


TWELFTH  YEAR. 


ENGLISH  COURSE. 

(Fall  Term.) 
Surveying  completed. 
Moral  Science  commenced. 
Astronomy. 
French. 
Arithmetic  reviewed. 

(Winter  Term.) 
Algebra  reviewed. 
Moral  Science  completed. 
Political  Economy. 
French. 

(Summer  Term.) 
Geometry  reviewed. 
Political  Economy  completed. 
Reviews. 
Reading,  Composition  and  Declamation  during  the  year. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9-25wt-8,'46  (9852) 444 


L161 
S76S76 


